Why serve on the EMSWCD Board?

• Serve your community and help us deliver on our mission to help people care for land and water
• Enjoy being part of a diverse and collaborative team, where Directors and staff value each other’s roles, perspectives, and skill sets
• Gain experience in government and leadership that can translate into other potential career or political opportunities
• Stay informed on current conservation and community concerns
• Build knowledge and skills by participating in training, learning from and working with other organizations
• Increase your understanding of EMSWCD programs and initiatives and feel equipped to share information programs with constituents

What is the average time commitment for Directors?

Core duties

• Directors attend monthly in-person board meetings, which typically last two hours
• About 1.5 hours per month is also spent reading board meeting packets and associated materials
• Directors are invited to participate in the District’s outreach and education events

Additional duties

• All Directors are members of the Budget Committee, which meets three to four times a year leading up to budget adoption in June
• Most Directors also participate in other committees, which may meet on an as-needed basis or a regular schedule

The total time commitment is estimated at 80 hours per year or six to eight hours per month.

Can I attend a meeting of the Board of Directors?

To better understand the Director’s duties, check out a Board meeting before deciding to be a candidate. All Board meetings are open to the public.

Our Board meetings are held the first Monday of the month from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the District offices in North Portland. The District office is ADA-accessible and served by bus lines #44, #72 and #6. For Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations, or translation services, call (503) 222-7645 no later than 48 hours before a meeting.

View our list of upcoming board Committee and Budget meetings here.

What do Soil and Water Conservation District Directors provide the community?

Community Service

Each Director can have a real impact on the services provided by conservation districts. A board rich in skill sets, perspectives, identities and lived experiences can help the organization develop programs and services that meet the conservation needs and interests of the wide range of community members found in East Multnomah County.

Strategic Impact

Together, the Board makes decisions at a strategic level through participation in Board meetings, planning sessions, policy discussions and committee assignments. Individually, Directors do not direct the District, but acting collectively the Board of Directors can positively impact the community.

Board members

• Attend the Board meetings, typically on the first Monday of each month.
• Serve on committees.
• Review and adopt the annual budget.
• Approve financial reports.
• Set goals and evaluate progress towards those goals.
• Hire and evaluate the District’s Executive Director.
• Connect with the community – attend community events as a District representative to learn about the conservation needs and interests of the community and share that information.

Legal Compliance

The Board helps ensure that the District achieves its mission in an ethical, transparent and accountable way. The Board has the legislative authority and power to establish policies and procedures that are in the best interest of the residents it serves. A board member of EMSWCD is responsible for conducting District business in compliance with Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 568.

Learn more about the East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District

Five-Year Strategic Plan (23-27): Developed in 2023, this plan includes our mission and vision statements, goals and objectives. View the plan here.

FY 22-23 Annual Report: This interactive annual report shares a snapshot of the District’s programs, activities and financial audit. Find ours here.

Budget: View the approved Fiscal 24-25 District Budget here.

District Staff: The staff work together to help the District reach its goals. View the current positions here.